Granny Square Sunglass Case

The granny square is simple to crochet and very versatile.  You can make booties, blankets, bags, scarves and clothing from these squares.  In this instructable I will show you how to make a sunglass/eyeglass case from these wonderful squares.

• Yarn
• Felt or other soft fabric
• crochet needle
• thread and sewing needle
• sewing machine
• measuring tape

If you already know how to make granny squares you can jump ahead to step 6.

Here are a list of abbreviations that I will be using a:
         
            ch(s)       chain stitch(s)
            dc            double crochet
            sl st        slip stitch
            sp           space
            yo            yarn over

To begin make a slip knot (form a loop and pull another loop through it with your hook -see image 1 and 2 below).

Yarn over (wrap yarn over your hook from back to front -see image 3)

Pull the yarn through the loop to make a new loop (image 4), do not tighten.  This is your first chain stitch (ch).

Now that you've made your first chain stitch we need to make three more, giving us a total of 4 chain stitches (ch4) (see image 1). 

The next step is to make a slip stitch (sl st).  To do this, insert your hook into the first chain stitch (beside the slip knot -see image 2).  Yarn over (yo) (image 3) and draw the hook through both loops (image 4).  This creates a ring.

 Next we make three chain stitches (ch3) (image 1) then double crochet (dc) into the ring.

To double crochet (dc) yarn over (image 2) and insert hook into the ring, yarn over again (image 3) and draw hook through the ring.  Yarn over again (image 4) and draw through the first two loops.  Yarn over again (image 5) and draw through the remaining two loops to make the first double crochet (image 6). 

Make another double crochet in the ring.  This combination of ch3 and 2dc creates a shell, (in the first shell of a each round the 3 chain stitches counts as the first double crochet, so in subsequent shells we make 3 double crochets)

Make 2 chain stitches and make another shell (3 double crochets in ring).

Again make 2 chain stitches and another shell (3 double crochets in ring).

Again make 2 chain stitches and another shell (3 double crochets in ring), this makes the fourth shell.

To connect the fourth shell to the first shell thus closing the first round, make two chain stitches and slip stitch into the first double crochet of the first shell (second loop of the 3 chain stitch).

Second round

Slip stitch through the next two dc loops (image 1)

In the corner hole between the first and second shell of round one, which I will refer to as a ch-2 sp (chain 2 space), ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc.

Ch1 then 3dc, ch2, 3dc in the next hole (ch-2 sp).

Then ch1 and 3dc, ch2, 3dc in the next ch-2 sp.

Repeat ch1 and 3dc, ch2, 3dc in the next ch-2 sp (the last corner hole).  Then sl st in first dc to complete the second round.

Third round and beyond

Slip stitch through the next two dc loops, in next ch-2 sp, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc. Then ch1and 3dc in the ch-1 sp (the hole along the edge -see image4), ch1then 3dc, 2ch, 3dc in next ch-2 sp, ch1then 3dc in the next ch-1 sp.  Repeat the rest of the way around. Continue in this way in subsequent rounds.

Note: To make it simpler to remember, use ch2 between shells on the corner, making two shells in each corner hole and use ch1 between each shell along the edge making one shell per hole.


There is no limit to how many rounds to go on your granny square.   You can also change yarn (to a different colour) anywhere between rounds.


There is also a great instructable (with video) on how to make a granny square here and a helpful tutorial on different crochet stitches here.

You will need a finished piece of about 7-8 inches square.  Check to make sure that your pair of glasses will fit as sizes and styles can vary.  You can combine four separate granny squares made of about 3-4 rounds or you can use one large square made of about 8 rounds.

To connect the four granny squares you can either sew them together using a whip stitch with yarn and a large needle or do slip stitches with your crochet hook.  I used the method with the slip stitches which I will describe below:

• Line up the two squares (right sides facing each other).
• Start with a slip knot and insert hook through one loop in each piece (square), yarn over and pull through both loops (slip stitch), continue along the length of the squares.
• Join the second pair of squares in the same way.
• Now, join the two pairs together (making sure that you have right sides facing each other).
• This creates an invisible (barely visible) seam from the front of the piece.

I used felt to line the inside of my sunglass case but other soft fabrics will do such as fleece, flannel or one of those microfiber lens cleaning cloths if it is big enough.  Measure the size of your crochet square.  Cut the piece of liner fabric slightly larger then crochet square since you can stretch the square out a little.

Place the crochet square over top of the liner and pin them together starting at the corners and stretching the crotchet square to the edges.  Hand stitch the two fabrics together using a whip stitch.

With the liner and crochet square now sewn together fold it in half (liner side out) and pin along three of the edges. Leave one of the narrow ends open, this will be the opening of the case.  I used a sewing machine to sew along the edges with about a half centimetre seam allowance.  Turn it right side out revealing your completed sunglass case.